“What about him?” Leo asked, nodding at Gage.
“He was the other half of the disgusting conversation. But I was told he didn’t make any offensive comments of his own. Magalie can deal with him.”
Leo pointed at Denis. “What do you suggest for this one?”
“Oh, I’m not suggesting anything. I am going to kill him,” Damien announced.
The friends exchanged a long look before Leo spoke. “Do it now.”
In one fluid motion, Damien removed his longsword from the scabbard on his back and sliced through Denis’s neck. The guard’s head tumbled to the floor, landing on his nose with a sickening crunch before rolling away. His chest fell forward and blood poured from his exposed neck, staining the white marble tiles. King Tristan retreated several steps farther than was necessary. Damien wiped his sword clean on the dead man’s tunic.
Evelyn couldn’t breathe as she stared at the body. Beside her, Lord Nicolas appeared paler than usual but not exactly shocked.
I’ve never seen a beheading before. I know they happen sometimes, especially for crimes against a royal family. But I was never present for any of them in Carrowmore. Even if I’d wanted to, Father wouldn’t have allowed it.
Damien killed a man… for me. What the fuck am I supposed to do about that? And why did Leo agree to it? He didn’t even check in with me to see what I wanted. At least Damien had the whole story and made a decision. I really believe Damien wouldn’t have done it if I had intervened. Leo didn’t consider me at all.
Damien addressed the soldiers flanking Gage. “Take him to Magalie’s office. Let the commander know there’s a vacancy on her staff.”
“Get this cleaned up,” Damien told the nearest innocent guard.
The man blanched. “What do we do with the body?”
“Burn it.”
Damien caught Evelyn’s eye, watching for her reaction. His words from a few days ago came back to her:“I will always protect you, Princess.”
He meant it.
How much did Rory tell him about what the man said? Did Damien hear that my bedsheets were dirty after Haydn’s visit? If he repeats that detail to Leo, I don’t know how I can explain it.
Leo took Evelyn’s hand before she could say anything to Damien. Giving the scene of execution a wide berth, they left the ballroom through the back doors. Evelyn ran toward the ocean as soon as they were past the patio.
Is this my fault? The man was disgusting, but most of what he said was true. I kissed Leo while he was supposedly courting Hannah. I slept with Haydn in secret. I haven’t done anything with Damien, but he is in my room often. Of course all of that would look suspicious.
I got a man killed for judging me. I was upset, and Damien reacted to me. If I had handled it better, would the man still be alive?
She kicked off her shoes and waded into ankle-deep water, imagining the gentle waves washing blood off her feet. Leo took longer to remove his boots and roll up his trousers before joining her.
“Is this what life is like for a queen?” she asked.
“Harassment and beheadings? Not every day.”
45
Requests
Leo and Evelyn stayed on the beach for nearly an hour. She didn’t want to go near the palace until all traces of the guard’s beheading could be removed. But eventually Leo was needed for Important King Business.
Damien was waiting in the hall when Evelyn returned to her room. “I need to talk to you.”
She glanced at the hilt of the sword over his shoulder. “I don’t want?—”
“It’s not about that. You have mail.”
They went into her room and shut the door. Damien handed her an envelope, which had already been unsealed.
“Did you read it?” she accused.
